DTE awards $7,000 in Bright Ideas For Neighborhoods Business Pitch Competition

DETROIT - Aug. 7, 2019 - PRLog -- The television show, Shark Tank, has made business pitch competitions a phenomenon.  Some business owners have good ideas and some have bright ideas. DTE wants to shine a light on those business owners to impact Detroit's North End who have bright ideas, which is the name of the business competition: Brights Ideas for Neighborhoods.

The North End is the home of DTE's Caniff Service Center and is investing outreach programs like Bright Ideas for Neighborhoods to inspire local investment in businesses.

In the second year in a row, DTE selected the North End to hold the business pitch competition.  The event, which was held at Greater New Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church on Owen Street, had seven contestants who represented a variety of businesses that included tax accountants to concierge services to a fishery.

The seven judges included:

1. Trevor Lauer, President and Chief Operating Officer, DTE Electric
2. Lynette Dowler, President, DTE Foundation
3. Meagan Dunn, Director Community Outreach & Partnerships, Henry Ford Health Systems
4. Dr. Ken L. Harris, President and CEO, National Business League
5. Bryan  Kieler, Sr. Vice President, Market Manager Community Development Bank, PNC Bank
6. Kamilia Landrum, Executive Director, NAACP
7. Tom Lewand, CEO, Shinola

More than 150 people witnessed four business owners win a total of $7,000 in cash awards.

This year's winners were:

• First place: Tamika Reeves, Transition Family Services;
• Second place:  Allante Taylor, A. Taylor Media;
• Third place (tie): Eugena Johnson, Candle Bliss Creations and Kimberly Wilson, Lifeworks - CDC.

"I am so excited to have won the competition and I thank DTE for putting this on.  I look forward to taking my business to the next level of growth. This has been great experience for all of us who participated," said Tamika Reeves, first place winner.

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy businesses focused on natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, power and industrial projects, renewable natural gas, and energy marketing and trading. As an environmental leader, DTE will reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80 percent by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE is committed to being a force for good in the communities where it serves through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/DTE_Energy and facebook.com.